Full Story in Brief (If you don't want to read the detailed story)
- Sony officially announced the Xperia 1 VIII today, May 13, 2026, via a live event streamed from Japan — its most significant redesign in years.
- The phone replaces the old vertical camera strip with a new square camera island, houses three 48MP cameras, and promises two-day battery life.
- It runs on Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, sports a 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED display, and still keeps the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack.
- European pricing is around ₹1.65–₹1.96 lakh (€1,869 / £1,728); India-specific pricing is expected around ₹1,49,990, with no confirmed India launch date yet.
- Global shipping is set to begin June 26, 2026.
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Sony has officially announced the Sony Xperia 1 VIII, marking one of the biggest design updates in the brand’s premium Xperia lineup in recent years. The new flagship smartphone brings a redesigned square camera island, a powerful triple 48MP camera system, Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, a 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED display, and a promised two-day battery life. Staying true to Sony’s creator-first identity, the Xperia 1 VIII also retains two features that have almost disappeared from premium smartphones — the 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card support.
For Indian users, especially content creators, photographers, YouTubers, students, tech enthusiasts, audiophiles and small business owners, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII could be a highly relevant premium device. While the official Sony Xperia 1 VIII India launch date and India price are still unconfirmed, early global pricing suggests that the phone may sit in the ultra-premium category, competing with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Apple iPhone 17 Pro.
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Currently, India is the world's second-largest smartphone market, and flagships above ₹1 lakh are a fast-growing segment, especially among urban professionals, content creators, and young IT workers in metro and Tier-1 cities.
The Xperia 1 VIII is directly relevant to:
- Content Creators & YouTubers: Sony's Alpha camera DNA means manual controls, Cinema Pro mode, 4K 120fps video, and professional colour science — tools that video creators in India are increasingly demanding from smartphones.
- Audio Enthusiasts: In a market where many Indians still use wired earphones — whether for commuting in Delhi Metro or studying in hostels — the 3.5mm jack is a practical, everyday advantage that most ₹50,000+ phones have abandoned.
- Students & Tech Aspirants: Understanding how Sony's "Alpha sensor integration" and Qualcomm's AI chipset work is relevant for students pursuing electronics, VLSI, or semiconductor engineering — especially with India's chip ambitions under the India Semiconductor Mission.
- MSMEs & Small Businesses: High-quality video and photography via smartphones can replace costly DSLR setups for product shoots, marketing reels, and social media content — making a premium camera phone a business tool, not just a luxury.
WHAT WE KNOW VS. WHAT WE DON'T KNOW YET
CONFIRMED
- Official announcement is May 13, 2026
- Square camera island confirmed by CAD renders
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset confirmed via Geekbench
- 3.5mm jack and microSD card returning
- 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED display
- 12GB RAM, 256GB base storage
- 4 colour options: Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, Garnet Red, Native Gold
- Amazon leaked pricing: £1,728 / €1,868.99 with headphones bundle
STILL UNCONFIRMED
- Official India launch date from Sony India
- Exact India retail price (₹1,49,990 is estimated)
- Exact battery capacity (mAh figure not disclosed)
- Exact fast-charging wattage
- Whether variable zoom is retained or removed
- India-specific warranty and service details
- Availability on Flipkart/Amazon India
- EMI/financing offers for Indian buyers
Viral Claims vs. Reality
REALITY: No official India price has been announced. The ₹1,49,990 figure is a market estimate. Do not book or pre-pay based on unverified prices.
REALITY: Sony India confirmed "no change in status" for Xperia phones in India (GSMArena, Feb 2026). The brand continues to sell in India.
REALITY: The Xperia 1 VIII uses a triple 48MP camera system. The Sony LYTIA 901 (200MP) sensor is designed for other OEM brands, not Xperia.
REALITY: June 26 is the global shipping date from leaked European listings. No India e-commerce listing has been officially announced.
Background
Sony's Xperia 1 series began in 2019 as a premium flagship aimed at photography and cinema enthusiasts. For years, it was one of the very few Android phones to retain a 3.5mm headphone jack, a microSD card slot, and a tall 21:9 "CinemaWide" display — features that mainstream brands like Samsung and Apple had abandoned.
In India, Sony Xperia phones have always been niche — priced above ₹80,000 and primarily purchased by professionals, videographers, and loyal Sony fans. The brand has struggled to compete in volumes against Samsung, Apple, and aggressive Chinese brands like Vivo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi.
In early 2026, Sony signalled continued commitment to the Indian market, and the Xperia 1 VIII represents the brand's push into a design refresh while keeping its core creator-focused identity intact.